Chopin

[George]

Found it - I was looking for a CD but checking out downloads paved the way.

http://auudoza.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/sokolov-grigory-chopin-schubert-amsterdam-27-02-2005.html

I see that there is actually more than what I have on the CD I was sent.

Thanks! Has anyone joined the filesharer that hosts these files? Looks like you need to sign in/join to download.

[Lisztianwagner]

Studying piano, I easily fell in love with Chopin's compositions and now he's one of my favourite composers, besides being a massive source of piano inspiration. About Chopin's music, I don't know what attracts me so much: the rich and elegant harmonic language; the deep, poetical beauty expressed; the powerful, haunting passion bursting out from those melodies; the melancholic, but also dreamy and ethereal atmosphere created; the great tuneful inventiveness.

My favourite recordings are those ones made by Ashkenazy, Rubinstein and Barenboim, three absolutely excellent Chopin interpreters in my opinion; I particularly adore Ashkenazy's set box of the works for solo Piano, which contains stunning performances of the Nocturnes, the Preludes and Waltzes. Pollini also recorded on DG a wonderful version of the Nocturnes, very impressive.

[Henk]

Studying piano, I easily fell in love with Chopin's compositions and now he's one of my favourite composers, besides being a massive source of piano inspiration. About Chopin's music, I don't know what attracts me so much: the rich and elegant harmonic language; the deep, poetical beauty expressed; the powerful, haunting passion bursting out from those melodies; the melancholic, but also dreamy and ethereal atmosphere created; the great tuneful inventiveness.

My favourite recordings are those ones made by Ashkenazy, Rubinstein and Barenboim, three absolutely excellent Chopin interpreters in my opinion; I particularly adore Ashkenazy's set box of the works for solo Piano, which contains stunning performances of the Nocturnes, the Preludes and Waltzes. Pollini also recorded on DG a wonderful version of the Nocturnes, very impressive.

Yeah, Chopin's nocturnes it sounds like every note is composed and in that sense creative, and not just an expression of style. As with Beethoven's music.

And Rubinstein, his playing is masterly.

I like the piano concertos very much as well.

[Lisztianwagner]

Yeah, Chopin's nocturnes it sounds like every note is composed and in that sense creative, and not just an expression of style. As with Beethoven's music.

And Rubinstein, his playing is masterly.

I like the piano concertos very much as well.

Of course the Piano Concertos are very beautiful too, I appreciate Rubinstein's version with Skrowaczewski/Wallenstein a lot.

[Henk]

Ilaria, I just try to explain to myself, what makes this music special. But when I tell to others, it sound elite-like, also to myself.

[Lisztianwagner]

Ilaria, I just try to explain to myself, what makes this music special. But when I tell to others, it sound elite-like, also to myself.

I understand; it's not simple to express with words what music makes you feel: if doing that had been easy, composers wouldn't have needed to write music.

[Ataraxia]

My apologies.

[North Star]

Found it - I was looking for a CD but checking out downloads paved the way.

http://auudoza.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/sokolov-grigory-chopin-schubert-amsterdam-27-02-2005.html

I see that there is actually more than what I have on the CD I was sent.

That looks very interesting, but they require a registering. Is this available at some free sharing site?

[madaboutmahler]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Ohlsson Hyperion set? I have heard various excerpts from his performances of the Waltzes and Mazurkas, and they sound really excellent. A set that certainly looks very inviting....

Chopin is really one of my absolute favourite composers. I really think every note he wrote was just perfect. A real pleasure to play his music too. I have played some of the waltzes and nocturnes, and look forward to learning more in the future!

Really enjoyed my Chopin evening, listening to my favourites of the Waltzes and Mazurkas. His last work, the Opus 68 F Minor Mazurka on at the moment. Utter perfection, incredibly beautiful, divine music.  0:)

[Lisztianwagner]

Chopin is really one of my absolute favourite composers. I really think every note he wrote was just perfect. A real pleasure to play his music too. I have played some of the waltzes and nocturnes, and look forward to learning more in the future!

Really enjoyed my Chopin evening, listening to my favourites of the Waltzes and Mazurkas. His last work, the Opus 68 F Minor Mazurka on at the moment. Utter perfection, incredibly beautiful, divine music.  0:)

Nice description; I completely agree with everything you said, Daniel.

[SonicMan46]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Ohlsson Hyperion set? I have heard various excerpts from his performances of the Waltzes and Mazurkas, and they sound really excellent. A set that certainly looks very inviting.... ........................

Well, if you're talking about the Ohlsson box shown below, I've owned it for nearly a year - have just listen to the entire set of discs once (w/ a few exceptions) and really enjoyed; now I also have a LOT of other CDs of Chopin's music, many of which I prefer for certain works, but as a 'complete box' offering, Ohlsson is a strong consideration for 'one stop' shopping.  I would wait for some other posts but my vote would be a 'thumbs up' if a box by one performer is your desire?

Now, Ohlsson is on a modern piano(s), I would also like a set on 'period instruments' of Chopin's time - the only one is the other set shown below (right) - multiple performers & different instruments, plus pianists that are not that familiar to me - finally the price is a little too much to entice me @ the moment - SO, I need some input from the forum as to this offering -

 

[madaboutmahler]

Nice description; I completely agree with everything you said, Daniel.

Thank you, Ilaria!

Well, if you're talking about the Ohlsson box shown below, I've owned it for nearly a year - have just listen to the entire set of discs once (w/ a few exceptions) and really enjoyed; now I also have a LOT of other CDs of Chopin's music, many of which I prefer for certain works, but as a 'complete box' offering, Ohlsson is a strong consideration for 'one stop' shopping.  I would wait for some other posts but my vote would be a 'thumbs up' if a box by one performer is your desire?

Now, Ohlsson is on a modern piano(s), I would also like a set on 'period instruments' of Chopin's time - the only one is the other set shown below (right) - multiple performers & different instruments, plus pianists that are not that familiar to me - finally the price is a little too much to entice me @ the moment - SO, I need some input from the forum as to this offering -

 

Thanks very much for the feedback! Yes, I would rather like a set with just one performer, although I imagine that I'd probably want to get the very exciting-looking DG set with all of Chopin's works with various performers. I have listened to various extracts from Ohlsson's set, and it really does sound wonderful. Very subtle, beautifully melancholic performances, and the rubato seems perfect to me. I will probably have to wait till Christmas to get it, but I certainly think I want this set!
And thank you for mentioning the 'Real Chopin' set, it certainly sounds really wonderful. One I shall invest in soon, I'm sure!

[Sammy]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Ohlsson Hyperion set? I have heard various excerpts from his performances of the Waltzes and Mazurkas, and they sound really excellent. A set that certainly looks very inviting....

I don't have the complete set, but I did acquire 3 of the discs a few years ago.  He's certainly no scrub, although I found little in the performances that really impressed me.  Most impressive was his inclusion of a 2nd version of Prelude No. 14 from Op. 28.

[madaboutmahler]

Thanks for the feedback, Sammy!

[Brian]

Daniel, I listened to Ohlsson's box cover-to-cover in January and wrote this post! Funnily enough, with the passage of time I'd be less likely to call the nocturnes standouts (mainly because I heard Moravec's recording at long last) but more likely to praise the little Berceuse for being a performance like nobody else's. I really did not enjoy the little-known first sonata, but on the other hand the Mozart variations for piano and orchestra are a total delight.

[George]

Daniel, I listened to Ohlsson's box cover-to-cover in January and wrote this post! Funnily enough, with the passage of time I'd be less likely to call the nocturnes standouts (mainly because I heard Moravec's recording at long last) but more likely to praise the little Berceuse for being a performance like nobody else's.

If you care to hear 10 of my favorites (Koczalski and Darre are the very best, IMO), I previously uploaded them here: http://www.mediafire.com/?kw32k40nmc78z

1. Benno Moiseiwitsch - (Naxos Historical) 1916
2. Wilhelm Backhaus - (Andante)1928
3. Raoul von Koczalski - (Marston) 1928
4. Walter Gieseking - (Great Pianists of the Century) 1938
5. Josef Hofmann - (Marston) - 1937
6. Moriz Rosenthal - (Pearl) - 1930
7. Alfred Cortot - (Naxos) - 1926
8. Solomon Cutner - (Great Pianists of the Century) 1952
9. Jeanne-Marie Darre - (Vanguard) 1965
10. Ivan Moravec - (Vox) 2002

[Brian]

If you care to hear 10 of my favorites (Koczalski and Darre are the very best, IMO), I previously uploaded them here: http://www.mediafire.com/?kw32k40nmc78z

1. Benno Moiseiwitsch - (Naxos Historical) 1916
2. Wilhelm Backhaus - (Andante)1928
3. Raoul von Koczalski - (Marston) 1928
4. Walter Gieseking - (Great Pianists of the Century) 1938
5. Josef Hofmann - (Marston) - 1937
6. Moriz Rosenthal - (Pearl) - 1930
7. Alfred Cortot - (Naxos) - 1926
8. Solomon Cutner - (Great Pianists of the Century) 1952
9. Jeanne-Marie Darre - (Vanguard) 1965
10. Ivan Moravec - (Vox) 2002

You BET I want to hear them! Downloading the ZIP file now. And I already know and love Moravec '02... especially in the context of that whole immaculately built disc. Placing it between the second sonata and the fourth ballade was a masterstroke.

[Mandryka]

If you care to hear 10 of my favorites (Koczalski and Darre are the very best, IMO), I previously uploaded them here: http://www.mediafire.com/?kw32k40nmc78z

1. Benno Moiseiwitsch - (Naxos Historical) 1916
2. Wilhelm Backhaus - (Andante)1928
3. Raoul von Koczalski - (Marston) 1928
4. Walter Gieseking - (Great Pianists of the Century) 1938
5. Josef Hofmann - (Marston) - 1937
6. Moriz Rosenthal - (Pearl) - 1930
7. Alfred Cortot - (Naxos) - 1926
8. Solomon Cutner - (Great Pianists of the Century) 1952
9. Jeanne-Marie Darre - (Vanguard) 1965
10. Ivan Moravec - (Vox) 2002

So with the exception of Moravec they're all over 50 years old. Why is that? What has happened to Chopin interpretation since 1960 in your opinion? And is Moravec in your opinion a reactionary, playing in an essentially antiquated style which you like? Or is he a modern, who has new contemporary things to say, but who has been ignored or rejected or misaprehended  by post 1960s Chopinists?

[George]

So with the exception of Moravec they're all over 50 years old. Why is that?

Dunno.

What has happened to Chopin interpretation since 1960 in your opinion?

Dunno.

And is Moravec in your opinion a reactionary, playing in an essentially antiquated style which you like?

Of the ones that I heard, he was one of my favorites.

Or is he a modern, who has new contemporary things to say, but who has been ignored or rejected or misaprehended  by post 1960s Chopinists?

Dunno.

I just wanted to share some favorites with a friend.

[Brian]

I just wanted to share some favorites with a friend.

I don't think you're being critiqued, George, I think it's legitimately interesting. If all my favorite Chopin predated 1960, I think I would spend a bit of time trying to figure out why that might be, similarly to if all my favorite Chopin was by Russian pianists, or if all my favorite Chopin was on EMI... it's just something to be curious about.

Anyway, I shall be listening over the weekend, thank you!